GLADSTONE — The Gladstone-Rapid River Kiwanis is kicking off its annual Christmas Tree of Honor and Remembrance. Lights can be purchased in remembrance of loved ones or to honor someone special. Lights are available for purchase until December 1.

Lights can be purchased in remembrance of a loved one or to honor someone special. In the past, lights have been purchased following a death or to honor a special birthday, to honor a cancer survivor, or even the birth of a child.

The Christmas tree will be located in Gladstone’s Van Cleve Park and a lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 5 at the beach house. The tree will stay lit through January 3.

Names of those honored or remembered will be posted at the lighting ceremony, in a book at city hall, at website: www.gladstonekiwanis.weebly.com, and the Facebook page-Gladstone Kiwanis.

Light forms can be downloaded online at www.gladstonekiwanis.weebly.com. Forms can also be obtained and turned in at the Gladstone City Hall. Forms can also be picked up at All Saints Catholic Church and First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Forms can be mailed in to Gladstone-Rapid River Kiwanis, PO Box 22, Gladstone, MI 49837.

Money received through this fundraiser will benefit many youth programs in the community such as the Gladstone and Rapid River Backpack Program, which feeds school age children in the area. Other projects that the Kiwanis support are: Gladstone 10th Street Project, Kids Kingdom, the Salvation Army, IPADS for Autism, Bay Cliff, Key Clubs, athletic teams, robotic teams, Cub and Boy Scouts, and many others.

For more information contact Peggy Austin at 906-241-0889.